Retail, FMCG and consumer - SDWAN Solutions · digital wallets security of in-store connectivity is crucial. One breach, one hack and reputations will ... of sales and marketing as

Trends & Technology 2019

Retail, FMCG and consumer

“At SDWAN Solutions we believe that nothing should stand in the way of progress, and technology should be used to the full to achieve what previous generations could only dream about.

You are experts in your own field, you don’t need to be experts in the latest networking technology –that’s our job – you can trust us to provide the best network infrastructure to underpin and enable your technological advances within your field.”

Anthony Senter – Managing Director, SDWAN Solutions

Technology trends & insights and how they will impact YOUR business in 2019

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TRUSTED EXPERTS IN ALL THINGS SD-WAN WWW.SDWAN-SOLUTIONS.CO.UK

Reasons to buy online – Convenience, price and free

shipping were the three top reasons to buy in the US last

year. This was pretty much as standard across all

demographics. Brand reputation and loyalty rewards

followed 4th and 5th respectively.

[source: https://www.bigcommerce.com/blog/omni-channel-retail/#why-us-consumers-shop-where-

they-shop]

Blurification of lifestyles – as millennials mature and earnings

increase, and baby boomers become au fait with technology

and rename themselves the ‘irresponsible generation’, with few

family and financial ties, there is a common ground amongst

them as consumers – primarily, online. They seek experience,

excitement even, comfort, luxury even, and many have the

disposable income to pay for it.

https://www.bigcommerce.com/blog/omni-channel-retail/#why-us-consumers-shop-where-they-shop


Omnichannel retail - a single touchpoint is not enough to

entice the new consumer in store. Brands need to grab

their attention on every touchpoint, at every hub and on

every digital platform. Oh, and did we say you have to

have a different, yet engaging story to tell on every one?

Conversion’s tough these days!

Social shopping – different demographics may surprise you. Recent study by Big Commerce, found that only 11.8% of Gen-Z shops on Facebook, while nearly 25% of Baby Boomers shop on the social platform. Millennials, meanwhile, prefer to buy products they discover on Instagram and Snapchat. They often do this on the move comparing one store’s products against another’s.[source: BigCommerce’s 2018 Omni-Channel Retail Report]

https://www.bigcommerce.com/blog/omni-channel-retail/#where-consumers-shop-online


Online in general - e-commerce revenues are

predicted to exceed USD 4 trillion USD in 2020. More

digitally savvy consumers will spend more time online,

deciding what to buy and from whom before entering

stores.

[Source: https://dksh.com/hk-en/insights/seven-fmcg-trends-to-watch-out-for-2019]

Fast moving goods move even faster!- E-commerce

is growing at four times the rate of offline sales. Global

online FMCG sales are expected to double in five years

and by 2022, FMCG e-commerce will comprise around

10 to 12% percent of global FMCG sales.


https://dksh.com/hk-en/insights/seven-fmcg-trends-to-watch-out-for-2019



Experience over products – this trend has largely been driven

by Millennials, but the rest of us are catching on! It is no longer

enough to simply offer products; people want a shopping

experience – expect everything from instore cafes to free

charging hubs, man dens to streamed TV, augmented reality,

virtual reality, holograms, smart mirrors, voice activated search

tools, drones, robots and shopperbots.

Technological shoppertainment is here!

A merging of worlds – experiential retail needs to blend the

real world with the digital one. AR, VR, scanning of codes,

beacon tech you name it the shopper wants it… But embrace

this new world (and make it work faultlessly and fast) and you,

the retailer, has harnessed the perfect way to tell your brand

story, your CSR policy, and make ‘shoppertainment’ your point

of differentiation. Job done!

[source https://www.forbes.com/sites/jiawertz/2018/11/28/5-trends-that-will-redefine-retail-in-

2019/#738ee4ad6526]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jiawertz/2018/11/28/5-trends-that-will-redefine-retail-in-2019/#738ee4ad6526


Huge risk in downtime – with an increasingly impatient consumer [internet ‘waiting’ times down from 8 seconds to just 5 seconds!] a fast-paced world expects it all. RIGHT NOW! Downtime, slow sites and in-store tech, buffering on video content are a complete turn-off and the consumer will go elsewhere, taking their pounds with them.

Speed up your network to engage the consumer –businesses that have deployed SDWAN are seeing a 69% reduction in the amount of time a typical site is off the network in a year, and an 80% reduction in the length of individual incidents[source: https://nemertes.com/research/2019-the-year-of-sd-wan/ A leading research organisation into emerging technologies for business]

https://nemertes.com/research/2019-the-year-of-sd-wan/


The video age for the consumer – video is replacing readable content at a pace. With complex messaging, interactive storytelling and CSR a must there is an imperative for the consumer to understand it all and FAST. Video will prove a popular medium for all retailers to get the message across. Shoppertainment is all!

Emotional shopping – today’s consumers shop with their

emotions. Corporate responsibility and social

consciousness are driving purchases, as well as price and

convenience. Brands need to detail their ‘culture coding’

across all digital touchpoints and brands will be seeking

to employ ‘culture coders’ to get that message out loud

and clear


2019/#738ee4ad6526]



e-commerce penetrates FMCG – a relative latecomer

to the omnichannel, FMCG will need to garner clicks to

get sales hits. Competition will intensify as even the

everyday item needs to tell a story, hit emotions and

be scrutinised digitally.


And the winner is… E-commerce! – online shopping continues its march toward becoming the most popular shopping medium. In September 2018 the sector expanded by 11.4 %


2019/#738ee4ad6526]



TRUSTED EXPERTS IN ALL THINGS SD-WANWWW.SDWAN-SOLUTIONS.CO.UK

Stores should be open, but not ‘open’ - Although smart devices are smart in name, retailers need to be equally smart when it comes to security. Smart IoT devices use open wireless networks and Bluetooth in order to communicate, creating more vulnerable endpoints in store, putting both the business and the customer at risk.

In-store security – with ‘whole lives’ being on consumers’ smart phone, scan and pay facilities and digital wallets security of in-store connectivity is crucial. One breach, one hack and reputations will suffer. Beware the hacker challenge of multi customer hacks in-store. The challenge has already been laid down!


Network experts highlight FOUR enhanced security features with SDWAN – leading network publication say that SDWAN can improve your security strategy and reduce data breaches and security threats via the fact that security is inherent to SD-WAN, eliminating VPN concerns, reducing traffic going through security and by simplifying use of security platforms[source: https://www.networkworld.com/article/3336483/how-sd-wan-can-improve-your-security-strategy.html]

Security streets ahead – SD-WAN providers are really working towards partnering and certifying different security products. Some SD-WAN products automatically route all your traffic through cloud-based security parameters, before it goes out to the internet or to cloud service providers.[source https://www.networkworld.com/article/3336483/how-sd-wan-can-improve-your-security-strategy.html]

https://www.networkworld.com/article/3336483/how-sd-wan-can-improve-your-security-strategy.html

https://www.networkworld.com/article/3336483/how-sd-wan-can-improve-your-security-strategy.html


Personal shopping, but only if you’re cool enough -

messaging apps will be increasingly used within the context

of sales and marketing as consumers expect bands to

become a virtual personal shopper. This offers huge sales

potentials for trendy fashion and tech brands, whose brand

messages and ‘personal attention’ are truly welcomed, even

coveted.

Homogenous online brands – consumers see much of a muchness online, both with price and offering, differentiate your brand to offer value adds and a different experience. Treat your customers as one size fits all and they’ll head straight to digital platforms and forums to berate your brand.


Wifi no issue – with mobile networks providing oodles of cheap or free data there’s no fear of running out. Not so with batteries. Battery anxiety is a thing now – yes, a real medically recognised anxiety – free, wireless charging hubs and facilities provide stores with a captive audience potential

Prepare for the future of connectivity – to fulfil the consumer expectation and engage creatively, interactively, utilising such things as AR, VR and even holograms, across websites, marketplaces, social media and IoS/IoT, retailers need to fundamentally check their networks are fit for purpose, uber-fast and secure.


2019: The Year of SDWAN - SD-WAN is experiencing explosive growth across all sectors and markets, as interest as the technology, vendors, and service provider offerings mature. 2019 will be a pivotal year, as the majority of organisations not already planning to deploy SD-WAN will complete evaluations of it and decide whether to deploy. Test our proof of concept at your busiest sites/locations

[source: https://nemertes.com/research/2019-the-year-of-sd-wan/ A leading research organisation into emerging technologies for business]

Let the numbers do the talking - companies that have converted more than 90% of their sites to SD-WAN are realising significant improvements: 20% reduction in staffing required for the WAN, and 33% reduction in the amount of time WAN staff spend on troubleshooting.[source: https://nemertes.com/research/2019-the-year-of-sd-wan/ A leading research organisation into emerging technologies for business]

https://www.sdwan-solutions.co.uk/




Subscribe to buy - buyers increasingly seek individually

tailored shopping, delivered directly to their doors. This

heralds the rise of subscription e-commerce, where

consumers sign up to their favourite, trusted brands for

curated products to be shipped a regular basis. It’s also a

huge opportunity to deliver your brand message

Curation explosion - since 2010 subscripted e-commerce has grown from $57 million in sales to over $2.6 billion in 2016, with 15% of online consumers signing up for subscription services in 2017. Similar take up was reported in 2018 and 2019 will see it become the norm.[source: https://www.mckinsey.com]

https://www.mckinsey.com/


Subscripted experiences - The trend continues with consumers searching for experiences, who are willing to pay for services which delivers a tangible experiential benefits and a personalised offering. Expect more retail and experience partnerships.

No longer intrusive – where once behavioural marketing was seen as intrusive, Orwellian even, consumers now expect it and see it not only as a service, but as a given. Save them time by selecting just what they need and they’re likely to buy! Expect AI to play and ever-increasing role in getting personalisation bang-on


The potential of IoT – with many stores stocking

products from the Internet of Things, they’re waking up to

the HUGE potential of how they can use these smart

devices to wow the customer in store. The quirkier the

better!

Welcome to IoS – what’s this, we hear you cry. IoS is

simply put, Internet of Store. Technology for your

customers needs to be everywhere from ease of using

their own phones to discover, scan and pay to talking

products (video is ALL for the coming years) where

instore scanners play video content ‘at the shelf’. IOS

could be used to maintain labelling information yet cut

down on the packaging it is printed on, and which

consumers increasingly despise.


Another word from the wise – “Gen Z have never known a time without online, personalised shopping. However, they are more brand agnostic than Millennials, and they’re very wary of brand promises. Therefore, to win them over it’s extremely important to personalise their on-site experiences and acknowledge their individuality.”

Erik Christiansen – CEO/Founder of Justuno, a software company creating integrated marketing solutions that aims to

turn visitors into customers.

A word from the wise - "Smart IoT devices such as beacons and smart shelves offer retail companies the efficiency to ensure their staff are effectively utilized, but physical IoT technology that is not secured properly can leave networks accessible to threats,"

Rob Brown, director of services at Cloud Management Suite, a leading US cloud provider.


Patience is NOT a virtue - recent studies found that even with free shipping consumers are only willing to wait 4.5 days, this is down from 5.5 days in 2012. Some blame Amazon Prime and it’s next day to 2 day shipping promise – either way expectations (and frustration going on disappointment) only rise if the shipping isn’t free.

Differentiate on delivery – online homogeneity is almost

ubiquitous, so brands need to look for new ways for

differentiate. Delivery is the last bastion of change where

retailers can stamp their brands’ differences on the online

shopping experience.

[source https://www.forbes.com/sites/jiawertz/2018/11/28/5-trends-that-will-redefine-retail-in-2019/#738ee4ad6526]



Mobile indexing - websites are now ranked based on the quality of UX they provide on mobile devices. Ignore this trend and Google will rank your site as something mobile users can’t see and a large chunk of traffic will go right past you.

The Two V’s – voice search and video content. If you want V to stand for ‘victory’ these key online trends need to factor in everything from your site to social media. Buffering is not allowed and load times must be below 5 seconds or your audience will vote with a click… elsewhere!


Pushing technology over the consumer ‘edge’ -consumers expect more from tech-rich companies that claim to have an eye on the future and to be harnessing technology in their field. Consumers expect an edgy innovation that truly wows the world into game-changing.

Disrupt or get off the pot! - If your innovation is a mere upgrade on previous tech then consumers will turn off. Apple is learning this to their cost with consumers refusing to buy into the latest phone with a few mega-pixels more. True step change must be a given!


The parable of quality content and the art of storytelling – years ago a brand ‘telling stories’ usually meant they were being less than honest. Today, tell a COMPELLING story via quality, well-written/video content and you not only gather a consumer audience, but can radically change consumer perceptions

Don’t over egg IT though - both Samsung and Huawei were caught ‘telling stories’ about their smartphone cameras, claiming photographs actually taken on a DSLR camera were taken by their phones. Naughty, naughty! Consumers will and do test, (and public try, via social media) brands who make less than straightforward claims. Keep it real and measurable.


Engage a captive audience for longer – the more time users spend on your website or instore tech, the better. Yet the websites with page 1 ranking on Google usually have over 2000 words. Content that is not only longer than in previous years is THE content trend for 2019

When AI stands for Any Idea? - AI technology has massive potential, so, small wonder businesses are actively looking for ways to use it in their work. The same goes for Google, and if (or rather when) they figure it out, it will inevitably affect SEO.


Early adopter fears – Forbes found that 70% of businesses cite “fear,” “digital transformation” and “cost reduction” as the major drivers in adoption of emerging/disruptive technology, knowing they need to embrace tech. However, around another 70% are adopting technology without specific, validated requirements! Our proof of concept negates these concerns - test us with your most difficult locations.https://www.sdwan-solutions.co.uk/about-us

Second generation greatness - SD-WANs have moved out of the early-adopter phase and into the mainstream. And anytime a technology does this, the market changes… And the markets the new tech is deployed into change along with it.

www.sdwan-solutions.co.uk and test our free proof of concept at your most difficult site

[source: https://www.networkworld.com/article/3328836/what-to-expect-from-sd-wans-in-2019.html]

https://www.sdwan-solutions.co.uk/about-us

http://www.sdwan-solutions.co.uk/

https://www.networkworld.com/article/3328836/what-to-expect-from-sd-wans-in-2019.html


Remodelling ain’t gonna cut it! – in the US 3,800 stores are expected to close their doors for remodelling by the end of 2019, but a lick of paint and some new lighting won’t be enough. Expect technological leaps and bounds, thrills and wows!… and what happens in the US, soon heads to the UK

Out of this world partnerships – aerospace know-how meets Silicon Valley ingenuity’ in this amazing partnership. Planet, founded by ex-Nasa scientists, uses satellite imagery to solve the world’s toughest challenges across many industries, including agriculture, forestry, energy and infrastructure. It will aid interpretation, monitor change and predict future need. Futurist tech partners will be sought across many sectors in 2019 and beyond : As 88% of UK businesses move to he cloud we are being sought as a tech-partner of choice with our unique SDWAN-Cloud innovation that beat even Google to market.


Give online thieves the finger! – as everything goes online we will see an increase in bio security, but don’t worry your finger tips and eyes are quite safe from thieves. Fingopay,developed by start-up Sthaler, allows individuals to make payments by scanning their finger, the veins can’t be damaged, stolen or forged. The finger scanner technology is quick, safe and simple, and removes the cost of manufacturing and managing plastic cards.

Forget pop-up! – with driverless cars already nearly the norm, expect driverless mobile stores soon! These offer huge potential for literally reaching out to customers, but then factor in the CSR potential of fulfilling basic human needs to those less able to get to out of town stores (or a rapidly emptying High Street) and you’ve got a tax deductible, good news story to tell… Oh, and don’t really forget pop-up this is the future of pop-up!

Watch out for Toyota’s offering


FMCG in a nutshell – nuts are healthy and all things health continue to drive FMCG. Health of the planet applies too with bio-packs, leaf wrapping, wash and return canvas bag services competing in the race to banish plastics. While sustainability, accountability and responsibility must be at every touch point and across the entire supply chain. Asia is THE emerging market. Convenience is key for on-the-go-eating and ready-meals must be restaurant quality. Phew! Who said consumers are demanding?[Source: https://dksh.com/hk-en/insights/seven-fmcg-trends-to-watch-out-for-2019]

Luxury of shopping – luxury brands will be increasingly expected to provide a luxury shopping experience. We’re not talking a glass of champers and a goodie bag, but real luxurious experiences and exclusive partnership deals for loyal customers, and an uber-chic digital hub from which to peruse them.



The three P’s – plastic, packaging and planet. Brands and stores that tackle the issue of ‘unnecessary’ packaging and safe disposal of plastic will be become the brands of choice for consumers, who shop with their emotions and ethics. Be a planet warrior to win consumer loyalty.

Millennial and Gen Z responsible shoppers - Nielsen global online study found that millennials continue to be most willing to pay extra for sustainable offerings - almost three-out-of-four respondents in the latest findings, up from approximately half in 2014. Gen Z respondents, aged 15-20, are also willing to pay more for products from companies who are committed to positive social and environmental impact - up from 55% in 2014 to 72% in 2015.

https://www.nielsen.com/eu/en/insights/reports/2015/the-sustainability-imperative.html


Forget windows, get glass for ‘datataining’ – windows at home will become screens and potential ‘display glass’ with the ability to show data, video, attention-grabbing imagery will allow consumers to interact is all about us. But we already have smart phones, you cry! Yes, but a smart phone allows for an audience of one, maybe two. Display glass preaches your brand and product message to the masses while giving real life, real time peer reviews. Get publicly ‘datataining’ for your brand to resonate!

A ‘hol’ new dimension – As well as 2019 being the ‘Year of SDWAN’ (you may have heard it here first, but we’ve backed it up with loads of data) it will also be remembered as the year of the hologram. whether it’s projectors, holographic content or the cameras and 3D art tools used to create them, whether it’s at a music concert, trade event or a product launch, three-dimensional video images have a huge potential to excite, intrigue and inform both consumers and business customers.

But what about our own prediction?The exponential speed of technology is exponentially speeding up human expectation –

our prediction is that those who adopt SDWAN will see their business benefit from uber-fast, super-secure, future-proofing networks, and customer footfall and brand following

will, well, follow! Those that don’t, won’t

“SD-WAN has already moved out of the early adopter phase and into mainstream – you know you will make the change to SD-WAN, it’s just a question of when! Let SDWAN Solutions clear up the confusion and answer any questions you may have on SD-WAN”

Toby Sturridge - Technical Director, SDWAN Solutions

How does SDWAN Solutions work for you?

PROOFOF

CONCEPT

You contact SDWAN Solutions

We listen intently to your requirements

We advise on the best solution

We fine tune your solution

You are happy with the proposal

We run a free POC trial

POC criteria met!We plan roll-out

We install remaining sites

We manage, maintain and monitor your solution

We re-tech your solution as new technologies become available

You save time, reduce costs and increase productivity

We do the hard work for you!

• We listen• We align the best vendors• We select the best connectivity• We design the best solution• We propose the solution• We fine tune the proposal• We agree the solution with you• We demonstrate with free POC• We ensure POC criteria is met• We agree a full roll-out• We train you on the solution• We configure remaining sites• We install remaining sites• We monitor• We maintain• We co-manage with you• We re-tech when required• You reap the SD-WAN benefits

https://www.sdwan-solutions.co.uk [email protected]

https://www.sdwan-solutions.co.uk/

As a company at the forefront of telecommunications technology, our aim is to keep our finger on the pulse of trends in new technology and consumer and business insights, as well as the very latest innovations in SD-WAN, networks and connectivity.

Here, you have seen our predictions for how technology will impact the retail, FMCG and consumer sectors and inform trends and insights therein. The future is exciting, fast moving and ever changing, and as consumers ourselves, as well a technological innovators, we can’t wait to see how the real world and the digital one will further merge together.

We hope you find them helpful and invite you to sign up for future trends at www.sdwan-solutions.co.uk or gain the upper hand by reading our informative blogs

https://www.sdwan-solutions.co.uk/blog1

http://www.sdwan-solutions.co.uk/


You may also be interested in the following from SDWAN Solutions:


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More information and explainer videos here: https://www.sdwan-solutions.co.uk/sdwan-cloud


TRUSTED EXPERTS IN ALL THINGS SD-WAN

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Retail, FMCG and consumer - SDWAN Solutions · digital wallets security of in-store connectivity is crucial. One breach, one hack and reputations will ... of sales and marketing as